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RES Community in line with the Climate neutral Europe by 2050

05/12/2018

On 28th November, the European Commission presented its strategic vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy by 2050, “A Clean Planet for all”

On 28th November, the European Commission presented its strategic vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy by 2050, “A Clean Planet for all”. It intends to present a vision and sense of direction for Europe’ long-term planning while inspiring stakeholders, researchers, entrepreneurs and citizens alike to develop new and innovative industries, businesses and associated jobs.

1. Maximize the benefits from Energy Efficiency including zero emission buildings2. Maximize the deployment of renewables and the use of electricity to fully de-carbonize Europe’s energy supply3. Embrace clean, safe and connected mobility4. A competitive EU industry and the circular economy as a key enabler to reduce greenhouse gas emissions5. Develop an adequate smart network infrastructure and inter-connections6. Reap the full benefits of bio-economy and create essential carbon sinks7. Tackle remaining CO2 emissions with carbon capture and storage

As has been mentioned before, energy transition is a key aspect in which to invest on towards a radical change of an energy system based on fossil fuels to one driven by the deployment of renewable, not only in from the view point of energy sources but from the energy consumer.

In which renewables development concerns, it is highlighted that their desired large-scale deployment also means a high degree of decentralization, a smarter and flexible system, building on consumers involvement, increased interconnectivity, improved energy storage deployed on a large scale, demand side response and management through digitalization.

Sustainable biomass has an important role to play in a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy. Biomass can directly supply heat. It can be transformed into biofuels and biogas and when cleaned can be transported through the gas grid substituting natural gas. When used in power generation, CO2 emitted can be captured creating negative emissions when stored. And it can substitute for carbon intensive materials, particularly in the building sector but also through new and sustainable bio-based products such as biochemicals (e.g. textiles, bioplastic and composites). However, a biomass-based transition is limited by the availability of land. Depending on the biogenic material from which the biomass is produced, the impacts on land use, the EU natural sink, biodiversity and water resources can differ substantially. The transition of our economy will always have to be careful how to make best use of scarce land and other natural resources and ensure that biomass is only used in the most efficient and sustainable way.___________________________________________________________________

The development of the options and actions explored in A Clean Planet for all are also said to be dependent on “the speed of their initial deployment, the extent to which citizens become active participants in the transition, the public acceptance of certain low and carbon free technologies and how fast sufficient scale can be reached”. This inevitably leads to the necessity of renovation and creation of an adequate policy framework that is aligned with this purpose.

In this sense, EU reaffirms its willing to participate as a driving force to ensure global transformation to low-carbon sustainable development at the same time that calls for a mayor inclusion of climate change and environment public policies and a reliable investment framework in EU partner countries. Moreover, citizens’ role in this transition is critical and those more vulnerable should be specially taken care of. EU Commission stresses that climate change can only be tackled if people actively engage, as consumers and as citizens.